For students embarking on their Class 11 journey, understanding the academic structure is the first step toward excellence. The CBSE Class 11 English syllabus remains consistent for the 2024-25 academic year, providing a stable roadmap for both Core and Elective streams. Whether you are aiming for high marks in theory or mastering practical assessments, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to succeed.
English Core: Structure and Breakdown
The English Core paper is designed to evaluate a student's linguistic proficiency through reading, writing, and literature. With a total of 100 marks, the distribution ensures a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical communication skills. Students should refer to www.cbseacademic.nic.in for the most recent official notifications.
| Section | Particulars | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension(Section A) | 1. Unseen passage (factual, descriptive or literary/ discursive, or persuasive)(10 Marks) 2. Case-Based Unseen (Factual) Passage(8 Marks) 3. Note Making and Summarization(8 Marks) | 26 |
| Creative Writing Skills(Section B) | 1. Grammar(Based upon tense, Clauses, re-ordering/transformation of sentences) (7 Marks) 2. Creative Writing Skills (Advertisement, Poster, Writing speech, Debate) ( 16 Marks) | 23 |
| Literature Text Books and Supplementary Reading Texts(Section C) | The question paper is structured to test various competencies through a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), objective-type questions, short-answer questions, and long-answer questions. 1. Based upon Poetry(Hornbill)-3 Marks 2. Based upon Prose (Hornbill)- 3 Marks 3. Based upon Prose (Snapshots)- 4 Marks 4. Two Short answer type questions one from Prose and one from Poetry(Hornbill) - 6Marks 5. One Short answer type question (Snapshots)- 3 Marks 6. One Long answer type question from Prose/Poetry(Hornbill)- 6 Marks 7. One Long answer type question on the chapters (Snapshots)- 6 Marks | 31 |
| Total Marks | 80 | |
| Assessment of listening and speaking Skills | 10 | |
| Project Work | 10 | |
| Grand Total | 100 |
Core English Syllabus Components
- Reading Comprehension (Section A): 26 marks
- Creative Writing Skills (Section B): 23 marks
- Literature Textbooks (Section C): 31 marks
- Assessment of listening and speaking skills: 10 marks
- Project Work: 10 marks
Required Textbooks: Hornbill and Snapshots
Hornbill Chapters
- The Portrait of a Lady (Prose)
- A Photograph (Poem)
- We’re Not Afraid to Die… if we can be together
- Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues
- The Laburnum Top (Poem)
- The Voice of the Rain (Poem)
- Childhood (Poem)
- The Adventure
- Silk Road (Prose)
- Father to Son
Snapshots Chapters
- The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse (Prose)
- The Address (Prose)
- Mother’s Day (Play)
- Birth (Prose)
- The Tale of Melon City
English Elective Overview
The Elective paper offers a deeper dive into literature, including specific study of drama and fiction. The marking scheme emphasizes analytical depth.
| Section | Particulars | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehension | 1. Unseen passage (literary or discursive)(12 Marks) 2. Unseen Poem(8 Marks) 3. Case-Based Factual Passage(5 Marks) | 25 |
| Creative Writing | 1. Essay (argumentative/discursive/reflective/descriptive topic) in 120-150 words. (5 marks) 2. Article in 120-150 words. (5 marks) 3. Speech in 120-150 words. (5 marks) | 15 |
| Literature Texts | The examination pattern for this section includes a balanced mix of Multiple Choice Questions, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions, and Long Answer Type Questions. 1. One Prose and One Poetry out of two to assess comprehension, Literary, appreciation, and inference(Book: Woven Words)(10 Marks) 2. Two Short Answer Questions to be answered in 30-40 words (4 marks) 3. Two Short Answer Questions out of three to be answered in 50-60 words (6marks) | 20 |
| Drama | Two Long Answer Questions to be answered in 80-100 words (10 marks) | 10 |
| Fiction | 1. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 30-40 words(2 marks) 2. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 50-60 words (3 marks) 3. One Long Answer Question out of two to be answered in 120-150 words (5 marks) | 10 |
| Total | 80 | |
| Seminar | Presentation, Poetry, Critical review, Conducting a theatre workshop (20 Marks) | 20 |
| Grand Total | 100 |
Woven Words Components
- Short Stories: The Lament, A Pair of Mustachios, The Rocking-horse Winner, The Adventure of the Three Garridebs, Pappachi’s Moth, The Third and Final Continent
- Poetry: The Peacock, Let me Not to the Marriage of True Minds, Coming, Telephone Conversation, The World is Too much With Us, Mother Tongue, Hawk Roosting, Ode to a Nightingale
- Essays: My Watch, My Three Passions, Patterns of Creativity, Tribal Verse, What is a Good Book?, The Story, Bridges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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